Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods Chapter 9 Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods

Learning Objectives 1. Identify the characteristics of a report and the various classifications of business reports. 2. Apply steps in the problem-solving process and methods for solving a problem. 3. Use appropriate printed, electronic, and primary sources of information. 4. Demonstrate appropriate methods of collecting, organizing, and referencing information. 5. Explain techniques for the logical analysis and interpretation of data.

Learning Objective 1 Identify the characteristics of a report and the various classifications of business reports.

Characteristics of Reports Reports are . . . Generally requested by a higher authority and often travel upward in an organization Logically organized and objective Generally prepared for a limited audience

Informational vs. analytical Types of Reports Formal vs. informal Short vs. long Informational vs. analytical Vertical vs. lateral Internal vs. external Periodic or scheduled Functional

Formal-Informal Report Continuum

Proposals Are . . . Used to show how one organization can _____________ of another Often used to show how _____ or ________ can be provided Usually issued in response to a _______ or a __________ Used to make decisions about issuing _________ for work meet the needs goods services request call for bids contracts

Learning Objective 2 Apply steps in the problem-solving process and methods for solving a problem.

The Problem-Solving Process 1 Recognize and define the problem 2 Select a method of solution 3 Collect and organize data and document sources 4 Arrive at an answer

Questions for Limiting the Problem is it that I wish to find out? What is the information needed? Why must the report be completed? When is the study limited? Where will read and use the information? Who

Learning Objective 3 Use appropriate printed, electronic, and primary sources of information.

Conducting Research Primary research Formal System Secondary research relies on firsthand data and obtains information from experiments, selected individuals, or observations compiles information that other experts have already created Primary research Formal System Informal System Secondary research

Objectives of Secondary Research Establish point of _________ for further research Avoid needless __________ of costly research effort ______ areas of needed research Make a real ___________ to body of knowledge departure duplication Reveal contribution

Types of Sources Primary Sources Secondary Sources Customer surveys Market research Operational research Historical research Performance observation Product development Financial reports Employee surveys Secondary Sources Newspapers Magazines Journals Abstracts Almanacs/fact books Books Government documents Online resources

Using the Internet Effectively Choose your search engine or database appropriately Structure searches from broad to specific Use quotation marks for literal topics Look for pages that have links to other sites Be adaptable to access formats

Types of Primary Research Observational research Experimental research Normative survey research

Indicators of Effective Research Does the data measure what was intended? Were instruments pilot tested? Validity Are outcomes consistent (repeatable) over time or independent samples? Is sample size sufficiently large? Reliability

Sampling: Help for the Overwhelmed Researcher Eliminates need to question 100 percent of population Uses random group from population to represent entire population

Learning Objective 4 Demonstrate appropriate methods of collecting, organizing, and referencing information.

Guidelines for Designing Effective Questionnaires Arrange items in a logical sequence Ask for facts that can be recalled readily Write clear, specific questions Brief, easy-to-follow directions Words with precise meanings Short items related to one idea No “skip-and-jump” instructions Continued

Guidelines for Designing Effective Questionnaires (cont.) Create an appealing format that is easy-to-answer and tabulate Do not force respondents to choose an answer that does not apply to them Provide all possible answers Add “undecided” or “other” category Avoid leading questions Pilot test the questionnaire and revise based on feedback

Common Item Types for Questionnaires Open Question What will you do to combat inflation? Forced Choice What is the one most important problem you . . . Checklists Check all that apply to you:  Male  Married  Female  Single Rating Scale Circle the number indicating how you feel about each statement: Disagree Agree Strongly Agree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ranking Scale Please rank the following problems in order of importance. Use 1 for most important, 2 for second most important, and continue until all are ranked. ______ World Peace _____ Unemployment ______ Inflation _____ Drug Abuse

Common Errors in Data Collection Samples that are too small Samples that are not representative Poorly constructed data-gathering instruments Information that comes from biased sources Too little information Too much information that is not relevant

Reasons for Accurate, Complete Documentation Gives credit where credit is due (highly ethical conduct) Protects writers against plagiarism charges Supports statements and thus increases credibility Aids researchers in pursuing similar research

Elements in an Electronic Citation Author (if given) Date of publication Title of article and/or name of publication Electronic medium (such as CD or DVD) Volume, series, page, section, or paragraphs Internet address (URL) and database if available Direct object identifier (DOI) if available

Learning Objective 5 Explain techniques for the logical analysis and interpretation of data.

Common Errors in Data Interpretation Conforming results to prediction or desire Hoping for spectacular results Comparing when commonality is absent Assuming a cause-and-effect relationship when one does not exist Failing to consider important factors Basing conclusions on lack of evidence Assuming constancy of behavior